As a prolific veteran producer VV303 is a mainstay of the Franco-Belgian industrial scene; his back catalogue includes works with Roel Butzen or Yves Deruyter IV – Calling Earth (Bonzai records), and in just the past year he has produced for Implant, Anamorphosis, K-Bereit and Ethan Fawkes on labels likes Alfa-Matrix and Dancefloor Killers. Now the multi-disciplinary Belgian artist presents us with a four track E.P. of dark Techno inspired by the shadiest and grimiest streets of Berlin.
The E.P. opens with Zodiac, a singularly dramatic track that wraps you in a timeless trance-like spiral. The second cut Animal (Society Edit) finds the groove between techno and electro-techno and rides it round and round. Dunkles Berlin (Strich Mix), the title-track, takes its name from the sordid streets and depraved cityscapes of the modern German megalopolis. A thunderous kick drum drives down 'Strich' where every corner reveals another seamy surprise. VV303 further develops these thematic elements by presenting the track's companion video-clip which visually expands on the hypnotic journey. Zweite Tiefkeller (Berlin Cut) closes the EP, a track that calls out to the electro spirit that VV303 has fused into every sound on this and every track of the EP, a record born of the clear intent to convert weekend clubbers into immortal warriors.
Dunkles Berlin EP
Artist: VV303
Label: I-Traxx Recordings
Release date: 16-01-2013 Format: Digital
REF: ITX002
Tracks:
1.- Zodiac (A-Moral Edit)
2.- Animal (Society Edit)
3.- Dunkles Berlin (Strich Mix)
4.- Zweite Tiefkeller (Berlin Cut)
FOR FANS OF
Arcade Fire
Fad Gadget
Tubeway Army
Massive Attack
Savages
Variety is the spice of life, so Sunday Bell Ringers is once again sailing a new course. Joeri Cnapelinckx (Tommigun, De Anale Fase) has infused his brainchild with crackling drum computers and distortion synthesizers, leaving only a minimal trace of the atmospheric indie of their self-titled debut from 2011. The sound of second album ‘SBR’ (release 20/01) is dirtier, rawer and better, without losing any of its intensity.
The commute between the Burg theatre in Vienna - for which Cnapelinckx composed the music of the 4-hour-long German-language theatre piece ‘Troja’ – and his home studio in the countryside in Merchtem (Belgium) was the birthplace of the spine of ‘SBR’. Utterly without compromise, based on groovy demos of drum computers and crackling effect pedals. “I no longer wanted to hide behind a piano and just write beautiful harmonic songs”, says Cnapelinckx.
The interaction between Mattijs Vanderleen (drums, samples), Mark Van Ransbeecke (guitar), Bart Verdonck (bass, guitar) and Eva Vermeiren (saxophone) was also smoother. “More than ever, ‘SBR’ was about spontaneity. Every band member was given free rein in the writing process; everyone could come up with a synth part or guitar line. We cut across the classical patterns and allowed for more experiments.” There is the electro funk on ‘Pageturner’, ‘May’ and ‘April’; catchy pop songs that bask in the filth of distortion and other effects. “I was indirectly influenced by The Prodigy in that. There’s a cinematic quality to their way of creating an atmosphere and subsequently unleashing the demons.”
In a way, ‘SBR’ is a personal liberation for Joeri Cnapelinckx. “I’ve recently rolled into electro and dance. Could this be my second childhood that brings back the former rebellion?” Though you could hardly pass Sunday Bell Ringers off as a dance or beat machine. “It’s more like we’ve made a record to paint to on a Saturday afternoon. The predominant atmosphere of the music is too dismal for the nightlife; there are moments when you can feel the drama dripping from the songs. But I am going to make a real dance album sooner or later.”
Besides the balancing act of Sunday Bell Ringers, credit is also due to Pim De Wolf (Tommigun) who took on the mixing of ‘SBR’. “As soon as the band was done with a song, Pim would go to work on it. He was never in the studio but worked individually and took the artistic decisions by himself, without our permission. As if he was the sixth member of the band”, Cnapelinckx continues. “Perhaps I did need someone from the outside. I personally don’t have the patience to mix a complete album and, in all honesty, Pim simply made the songs better than before.”
‘SBR’ is: nine songs spread over forty minutes of which every second sticks with you: from the hyper active ‘Electric Joe’, on to the semi-tragedy of ‘Wild Cats’ to the dance funk in ‘May’. Sunday Bell Ringers shoots subsequently at your legs, hips, ribs and the left side of your chest. To be played loud into the night – the neighbours will thank you.
CREDITS
Joeri Cnapelinckx (Keyboard, Beats, Vocals)
Mattijs Vanderleen (Drums, Sampling)
Mark Van Ransbeecke (Guitar, Vocals)
Bart Verdonck (Bass, Guitar, Vocals)
Eva Vermeiren (Saxophone, Vocals)
‘SBR’ was recorded in Studio Tuinhuisrecordings/Merchtem by Joeri Cnapelinckx and Ruben Hoogewys
Mixed by Pim De Wolf
Mastering by Wouter Vlaeminck
Produced by Sunday Bell Ringers
Los Angeles, CA - After a long absence from the music scene, Missing Persons featuring original vocalist Dale Bozzio will return to the Southern California stage for two special concerts at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach on January 10 and at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on January 19. Such memorable hits as “Words,” “Destination Unknown,” and “Walking In L.A.” made Missing Persons a household name in the ‘80s and a staple of early MTV thanks in part to the cutting edge fashion statements of Bozzio. With her unforgettable pink streaked hair, fishbowl bra and bubblewrap jacket, Bozzio would become an iconic figure of rock fashion, the original glam diva, inspiring the likes of Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Lady GaGa, and others! Her vocal style too became a unique signifier of the band’s music, and her voice remains as strong today as it was then!
These two exclusive performances are an exciting prelude to the release of the first studio album of new material to bear the Missing Persons name in over 25 years! The album, titled appropriately enough Missing In Action, was produced by Billy Sherwood and will be released on Cleopatra Records, March 4. Sherwood, whose recent work on the solo album of Star Trek actor William Shatner thrust Sherwood into the national spotlight, composed the album alongside Bozzio and brought a modern twist to the classic Missing Persons’s sound for what is sure to be one of the most talked about comeback records of the year. A record release party is planned and a nationwide tour will launch later in March!
TRACKS
1. Do Or Die
2. Hello, Hello
3. Walk Into The Sun
4. Covert Operation
5. The More We Love
6. The Speed Of Light
7. All The Way
8. If I Gave You My Mind
9. Siren Song
10. Crisis In Overdrive
BONUS TRACKS
11. Walking In L.A. (Acoustic Version)
12. Hello, Hello (Radio Remix)
With "Beautyfear" (oktaf#07) German sound poet Marsen Jules delivers one of his most outstanding albums so far. All twelve tracks on this longplayer were created during a week stay in Lisbon.
The panoramic view over the dusty city in spring seemed to have been the perfect surrounding for this cloudy soundscapes.
Mastered by 12K-labelboss Taylor Deupree and with a coverpicture taken by photographer Erik Madigan Heck from NYC, the best conditions are laid for a lasting experience of abstract musical poetry and touching soundscapeism.
Okay, it's still 2013, but Peek-A-Boo will continue in 2014 in presenting you new bands to discover.
What about Clouds By Night for instance? Clouds by Night are a gothic rock band from Athens, Greece.Their debut album, “Just Buried”, was released on 23 December 2013, as a digital download
